similar

[ sim-uh-ler ]

adjective

1. having a likeness or resemblance, especially in a general way:

   two similar houses.

   Synonyms: like

   Antonyms: different

2. Geometry. (of figures) having the same shape; having corresponding sides proportional and corresponding angles equal:

   similar triangles.

3. Mathematics. (of two square matrices) related by means of a similarity transformation.

similar

/ ˈsɪmɪlə; ˌsɪmɪˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. showing resemblance in qualities, characteristics, or appearance; alike but not identical
2. geometry (of two or more figures) having corresponding angles equal and all corresponding sides in the same ratio Compare congruent
3. maths (of two classes) equinumerous

Usage

As should not be used after similar: Wilson held a similar position to Jones (not a similar position as Jones ); the system is similar to the one in France (not similar as the one in France )

Derived Forms

• similarity, noun
• ˈsimilarly, adverb

Other Words From

• sim·i·lar·ly adverb
• non·sim·i·lar adjective
• qua·si-sim·i·lar adjective
• self-sim·i·lar adjective
• un·sim·i·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of similar¹

First recorded in 1605–15; earlier similary, from French similaire or directly from Medieval Latin similāris, equivalent to Latin simili(s) “like, similar” (akin to simul “together”; simplex ) + -āris -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of similar¹

C17: from Old French similaire, from Latin similis

Synonym Study

See same.

Example Sentences

The family argue the skills he has learned need to be reinforced and that an educational psychologist and independent social worker have come to similar conclusions.

From BBC

The government had faced similar criticism in 2022 when Zubair was arrested and spent more than three weeks in jail before the Supreme Court freed him on bail.

From BBC

Other Apple employees have raised similar concerns of privacy violations and overly broad policies restricting discussion of pay.

From Los Angeles Times

"To see nanoscale structures with standard electron microscopy, we fix and dehydrate the tissues, but freezing them retains their shape -- similar to freezing a grape rather than dehydrating it into a raisin," says Watanabe.

From Science Daily

Looking ahead, the research team plans to explore whether similar atomic mechanisms operate in other types of glass.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• akin
• analogous
• comparable
• complementary
• identical
• related